PATRIOTIC LINES and 

COLLEGE BOYS FOR PROHIBITION 

THRICE WELCOME TO KANSAS 



ETC. ETC. ETC. 



BY EX-JUDGE J.L.ELDRIDGE 




Class iP^ /rp; 

Book—', E^ ■ 
Goipght]^^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 




C" Tue Old Churn 1. cnni.T ol Stilluikn ami Cli irLsUiWii ttri*t?, where tlii; 
.>;,-!i.-.i wn, f,.nii.-,l in 1<536. 




L'nitcd V^ form Trcmum Temple. 



WHAT 

THINK YE OF CHRIST 

patriotic IK^incjai 

an^ 

College ^0^0 for }drol)tbition 

THRICE WELCOME TO KANSAS 
Etc., Etc., Etc. 



Ex-JuDGE jf U^-ELDRIDGE 

OF TOPEKA, KANSAS 

Author of " Ezekiel Jones, or The Trials and Triumphs of a 

Christian Trader." 



THE 

Hbbey press 

PUBLISHERS 

114 

FIFTH AVENUE 

aLonJ)on NEW YORK /Montreal 



76 1^^^. 



*^ 



TMP I Si"- Jif^Y OF 

or M " -T^T-S. 
Two Co» E8 RcCervso 

DEC. 26 19*111 

CUAfS ft XXli NO. 

COP, d. 



Copyright, 1901, 

by 

THE 

Sbbeg iprees 



PREFACE. 

I DEDICATE this volume of verse to the 
memory of my esteemed friend, the late Rev. 
Samuel Francis Smith, D. D., author of " Amer- 
ica" our world-renowned national hymn," 
" My country, ' tis of thee, Sweet land of 
liberty, Of thee I sing," whose friendship I en- 
joyed not far from forty years, who encouraged 
me in my efforts at verse writing, especially on 
the reforms of the day. 

I am well aware that these writings of mine 
are not Miltonian or Shakespearian, and may 
not have the plaintive sweetness found in some 
of the works of renowned authors. Yet I be- 
lieve they exhibit mental vigor, sprightliness 
of style, smooth rhythmical cadence, that will 
please a generous reading public. 

I am thankful they do not come in collision 
with the Decalogue, or the Sermon on the 
Mount, and are calculated to encourage in well 
doing those who are with " youthful vigor 
warm," and remove dull care, and care-worn 
wrinkles, and to have it said of us, 

3 



4 Preface. 

" To relieve the wretched was his pride. 

" And to cheer all travelers on life's rugged road. ' 

We now launch our venture upon the great 

sea of literary productions, hoping that it will 

make a prosperous voyage, fill with good cheer 

those who buy and read, and gladden the heart 

of publisher and author by returning to them 

ducats and shekels for labor performed and 

expenses incurred. 

J. L. E., 

A iitJior. 
Supreme Court Rooms, 
TOPEKA Kans.'v.s. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

What Think Ye of Christ ? 7 

Lines on the First Psalm 9 

Why Should I Wait ? 11 

Hymn 12 

The Messiah's Reign 13 

Installation Hymn 15 

Farewell 16 

Christmas Greeting 20 

Little Alice 22 

Return from Fort Sumter 24 

Supplies 26 

Hurrah ! for our Nation 27 

Should Days of Service be Forgot? , 29 



Memorial Hymn 



31 



College Boys for Prohibition 32 

Call to Duty 35 

Lines on a Drunken Father 39 

The Temperance Campaign 42 

When We Sit Down to Dine 45 

Plain Talk and Good Advice 47 

5 



6 Contents 

PAGB 

William Geer, A Story in Verse 50 

To THE Kansas Legislature 53 

All Hail ! Prohibition 56 

Saloons Must Go 61 

Ten Prohibitory Commandments 63 

An Appeal to the Church 65 

Who is to Blame ? 6S 

Pilgrim Fathers 72 

Removal of a Railway Depot 75 

The Tea Plant a Fable 79 

A Bard's Anniversary 81 

Golden Wedding 83 

Song to the Mosquito 85 

I Will Go West 87 

Katurah Brown 90 

Mated 93 

William 94 

Marriage of Charles 95 

Columbus 98 

The World's Fair 100 

The Shoe Dealer's Song 106 

Our Honored Sires 108 

Thrice Welcome to Kansas no 



WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST? 



"WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?" 

Matthew xxii. 42. 

What think ye of Christ ? how vast the theme ; 
Beyond the scope of seraph's dream ; 
Inspire our hearts and let us raise 
To Thee, our God, a hymn of praise. 

What think ye of Christ ? whose son is he? 
The All-wise God to whom we flee 
In danger's darkest hour — our friend — 
" On whom our hopes of heaven depend." 

What think ye of Christ? what boundless love. 
To leave his throne, the courts above, 
For wild Judea — Bethlehem's plain, 
" Good will to man," the glad refrain. 

What think ye of Christ ? God's only son. 
Who died to save a race undone ; 
Who suffered on the cruel tree — 
Poured out his soul for you and me. 

7 



8 What Think Yc of Christ ? 

What think yc of Christ ? who raised the dead: 
Who made the world whereon we tread ; 
Sun, moon and stars, the deep bhie sea. 
He heard the cry : " Remember mc ! " 

What think ye of Christ? whose pardoning 

power 
Is seen and felt each passing hour. 
Will peace impart, no fear nor dread, 
The poor arc clothed, the hungry fed. 

What think ye of Christ ? His gospel plan 
Will change the heart of sinful man. 
Strong drink destroy ; the Church was made 
To banish wrong of every shade. 

What tliink yc of Christ ? my sinner friend ; 
Pardon and peace we here extend. 
Oh, come and taste. His word is sweet : 
His blood is drink, his flesh is meat. 

What think ye of Chr'st ? who paid the cost. 
That priceless souls ma)- ue'er be lost. 
Accept his terms of offered peace. 
And take the joys that never cease. 

Our thoughts on Christ : Ah final test, 
For dark despair or heavenly rest; 
Released from sin, in glory rise 
To dwell with God in Paradise. 



Lines on the First Psalm. 



LINES ON THE FIRST PSALM. 

Blest is the man, divinely blest, 
Who shuns the sinner's way ; 

Who heeds Jehovah's loving voice 
And never goes astray 

He does not walk with sinful men, 

Nor take the scorner's seat ; 
He trusts a triune, loving God, 

And never knows defeat. 

The law of God he prizes much, 

Its teachings his delight ; 
He meditates throughout the day, 

And watches of the night. 

He loves to aid those in distress, 

To see their wants supplied. 
And no substantial good by him 

Will ever be denied. 

As grows the tree on river's bank, 

Its roots with moisture fed, 
Whose fruit adorns each spreading bough 

With foliage overhead ; 



10 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

So thrives the man who loves his God ; 

He prospers day by day. 
He will receive a rich reward 

To never pass away. 

Not so ungodly men who spurn. 

The truth divinely given ; 
They pass away like worthless chaff 

And never enter heaven. 

They shall not in the judgment stand, 

Victims of every lust ; 
They'll never reach the pearly gates 

Nor dwellings of the just. 

The Lord he knows the hearts of all ; 

The saints receive his care, 
While all the guilty sons of earth 

Will perish in despair. 



Why Should I Wait ? ii 



WHY SHOULD I WAIT ? 

Why should I wait while at the gate? 

I must, I will go in, 

And get relief for inward grief, 

A pardon for my sin. 

The Saviour stands with loving hands, 
Invites me to His side ; 
O how sweet my Lord to greet. 
And in His love abide. 

No more I'll rove from Him I love, 
I'll closer to him cling ; 
My dear Triune, loving Lord, 
My Great eternal King. 



12 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



HYMN. 

O Lord, our Sabbath School once more, 

Bows humbly at Thy feet, 
Thy loving kindness to adore, 

Thy mercy to entreat. 

Grant us the love Thy grace imparts. 

While we, adoring, raise 
To Thee the tribute of our hearts, 

In songs of grateful praise. 

We thank Thee for the cheering sight 

Our School presents to-day ; 
Its large increase, as gathering years 

Have sped their onward way. 

While many scattered o'er the land, 
Have hallow'd influence shed ; 

Some, dearest Lord, at Thy command. 
Now slumber with the dead. 

O Lord, give now an earnest zeal. 

To us who still remain, 
To teach Thy righteous law and grace, 

The Saviour's love proclaim. 



The Messiah's Reign. 13 



THE MESSIAH'S REIGN. 

Lines on the triumphs of the Gospel, as predicted by the 
Prophet Isaiah : " For ye shall go out with joy, and be led 
forth with peace." Read at church service, First Baptist- 
church, Topeka, Kas. 

O, GLORIOUS day, now close at hand, 
When love and truth shall, like a wand, 
Freely wave o'er land and sea, 
And crCiel war shall cease to be. 

Nations in peace will wrongs adjust ; 
The Messiah reigns, " in God we trust ; " 
Dread Jewish hate and Gentile wrong, 
To other days will then belong. 

Hail, prophetic day ! It now draws near. 
No need of sword nor glittering spear. 
To plowshares made, they'll turn the glebe. 
For nations then will cease to bleed. 

No barren wastes will then remain, 
But waving fields of precious grain ; 



14 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

No drunken poor will then be found, 
The ocean sail or till the ground. 

The Spirit's power has cleansed within, 
The last remains of reigning sin ; 
The sons of want will find relief, 
A sovereign balm for inward grief. 

Science and skill in varied ways 
Will eclipse the deeds of other days. 
O Lord, what wonders shall we see, 
When hearts in love are praising Thee. 

With gratitude we'll joys express — • 
The Saviour comes to mortals bless. 
We'll obey His Word, His love adore ; 
His rei<:n extends from shore to shore. 



Installation Hymn. 15 



INSTALLATION HYMN. 

O Lord our King, we welcome, here, 

A servant of our God. 
O may we more Thy name revere, 

And spread Thy praise abroad. 

Welcome, to this inviting field — 

How lovely is the place ; 
May labor here, a harvest yield. 

Trophies of saving grace. 

Come, gentle Saviour, and display 

The riches of Thy grace ; 
Come Spirit, with Thy loving power. 

And fill this sacred place. 

Then will rebellious hearts be slain, 

By Thine all-melting love ; 
Then will Thy saints more grace attain, 

For sweeter joys above. 

Pastor and flock now gently guide. 

By Thy paternal care, 
Till Heaven's gates shall open wide. 

To give a welcome there. 



i6 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



FAREWELL. 

'TWAS Thursday night, and after nine 
And one by one retires, 
Kind friends drew me to their side, 
And told me their desires ; 

Which were, that I must surely write 
Some parting words in verse, 
And on the evening of this day. 
The studied lines rehearse. 

Said I to them, " Dear Christian friends, 
My gifts, alas ! are few. 
To write, and read, as you desire. 
Would split my head in two." 

But they prevailed, and home I went. 
And set me down to write ; 
Then closed these mortal eyes, and thought 
Of our good Deacon White ; 

His native land, his church, his work. 
All pass'd in quick review, 



Farewell. 17 

And now he leaves his loved abode, 
And bids us all adieu. 

How can we part with these dear friends. 
Deacon and Mrs. White? 
May Providence just interpose 
And stop their onward flight. 

O cruel fate to leave us thus, 

To chill our heavenly joys, 

But they are bound for Pacific coast 

To see their darling boys. 

We love the church, where disciples meet, 
We are bound by endearing ties, 
Here we'll work to save the soul. 
And gather up supplies. 

(Here we'll sing Rev. John Fawcett's hymn.) 

" Blest be the tie that binds. 
Our hearts in Christian love. 
The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 

" When we asunder part. 
It gives us inward pain, 
But we shall still be joined in heart, 
And hope to meet again.' 
2 



1 8 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

The cuurch, it loves the souls of those 
For whom the Saviour died ; 
And longs to see the young and old, 
With heavenly grace supplied. 

My thoughts ran o'er the Sunday school ; 
'Twas mirrored in my mind 
How useful they might be, who seek 
And ready pardon find. 

As powers of mind cannot be gauged, 
Nor limit to their bound, 
Who knows, but here in after years 
A Cowper may be found ; 

Or some great mind to bless the world 
With large inventive skill; 
Or with modest merit rule 
Some great station fill ; 

Charmed Gospel truth proclaim, 
Sway the public mind. 
Clasp continents in loving peace 
And lasting friendships bind ? 

Friends, how pleasant to urge religion, 
With its unnumbered joys? 
It's a grace to the girls, 
And a charm to the boys 



Farewell. 19 

It gives sweetness to old age, 
With its fast fleeting 57ears; 
It has no room for sorrow, 
Nor heart-rending tears. 

It sharpens the intellect 
To a razor-like edge, 
And divides truth from error. 
Like a log-splitting wedge. 

Dear friends, we've but little time 
To say kind words of cheer, 
Nor prohibition to discuss ; 
A law we much revere. 

But we must pause for a giff. 

And unite with Deacon Shaw; 

Who had the church say " Praise the Lord, 

For our prohibitory law." 

Kind friends, my task's imperfect done , 
But we'll with one accord unite, 
And say, " God bless the boys, the mother. 
And our good Deacon White." 



20 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



CHRISTxMAS GREETING. 

A RIGHT cordial welcome, 
To each friend and neighbor; 

Who love to enjoy 

The fruit of skilled labor, 

We welcome, thrice welcome, 

To this spacious room ; 
Now enjoy the brief hour, 

'Twill drive away gloom. 

Friends, again we extend 

A kind Christian greeting; 
'Twill gladden our hearts 

Like an old family meeting. 

To urge pure religion, 

With its unnumbered joys ; 

'Tis a grace to the girls, 
A charm to the boys. 

Gives sweetness to age. 
With its on-coming years ; 



Christmas Greeting. 21 

With no room for sorrow, 
Nor any for tears. 

Gives wealth and gladness. 

Where'er we may rove, 
In the shadows of earth, 

Or glories above. 

Now bid dull care be gone. 

And accompany me 
To lands far away, 

Beyond the blue sea. 

To where, 
"Calm on the Hst'ning ear of night 

Come heaven's melodious strains, 
Where wild Judea stretches far 

Her silver-mantled plains." 

Then all hail ! auspicious morn 
Messiah comes — a Saviour's born 

To erase envy, hate and pride, 
And every hurtful lust beside. 



22 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



ALICE. 

A LOVED one to my dwelling- came, 
One pleasant morn in June, 

It made my inmost soul rejoice. 
And set my heart in tune. 

The httle one in sweetness grew, 
As days and months sped on ; 

The memory of its playful ways, 
Will ne'er from me be gone. 

Its artless prattle, childish glee, 
Were pleasures to my m.ind ; 

Gave solace to my weary hours 
And left no pain behind. 

The heavenly gift, I fondly hoped, 
Would long with me remain; 

And with endearing filial love 
Would Christian graces gain. 

But ere three years had fled : alas ! 
'Twas on one dismal day, 



Alice. 23 

A fatal breeze came floating by 
And bore my love away. 

To dwell with him the loving King, 

Who dries the mourner's tears ; 
Allays earth's corroding care, 

And quiets all our fears. 
Adieu, my love, my Alice dear! 

We shall soon together dwell, 
Though lost to sight, to memory dear, 

Farewell, a brief farewell ! 



24 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



RETURN OF DEACON C. A. ROUNDY, 
OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION 
AT FORT SUMTER TO BOSTON. 

O Lord, tis sweet to welcome home, 

Thy servant from abroad ; 
Our hearts with thanks ascend thy throne, 

To our Redeemer GOD. 

Thy providential care, his steps 

Have kindly, gently led 
'Mid war's stern and rude alarms, 

The dying and the dead. 

Near Sumter's old and battered walls, 

Thou dids't his mission place ; 
That soldiers brave might there enjoy 

The riches of thy grace. 

We welcome him to toil for those 

For whom the Saviour died ; 
That all might taste his pardoning love. 

And be with grace supplied. 



Return of Deacon C. A. Roundy. 25 

When beats no more each throbbing heart, 

And dust returns to dust, 
May we, on resurrection morn, 

Be numbered with the just. 

O bless our school and teacher dear, 

And may we faithful prove ; 
That all may dwell with thee at last, 

In endless bliss above. 



What Think Ye of Christ ? 



SUPPLIES. 

Who well supplies each fond desire, 
With needed food and good attire; 
With ample coal, for winter's fire, 
To warm your frame and cheer the soul, 
And keej) your nerves in good control? 
The Almighty Maker of us all. 



Patriotic Lines. 27 



PATRIOTIC LINES. 

Hurrah for our nation, 
A hundred years old ; 

Abounding in wealth 
By millions untold. 

From factories in the east, 
To prairies out west ; 

A land the Almighty 
Has wonderfully blest. 

Where corn is abundant. 
No lack of fine wheat; 

With mountains of ore, 
And plenty to eat. 

She excels the old world 
A hundred times over ; 

Our luxuries make us 
Like cattle in clover. 

In inventions she leaves 
All nations behind ; 



28 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

The triumphs of thought, 
The fruit of the mind 

Nature's subtle forces 
Just hid in the skies, 

Caught by our Edison 
To furnish suppHes. 

Speed the cars and messages 
With hghtning-hke power ; 

Do the work of a month 
In less than an hour. 

No hardship of labor, — 
Twill soon be no more ; 

No war, nor strong drink, 
That good men deplore. 

We'll shout for America, 
The land of our birth ; 

The home of the brave, — 
The richest on earth, 

And keep our flag flying, 
Our banner unfurled, 

And clasp the arm that 
Encircles the world. 



The Camp-Fire. 29 



THE CAMP-FIRE. 

Sung at the camp-fire of the G. A. R. in Topeka, February 
6, 1884. 

" Auld Lang Syne.'' 

Should days of service be forgot ; 

And^hardships brought to mind ? 
We'll take a view of army scenes, 

And pleasures from it find. 

— Chorus, We II take a view, etc. 

Shall we forget those fearful days, 
When, by sore hunger press'd, 

No news from home to cheer our hearts, 
Nor quiet place of rest ? 

— Chorus. 

Shall we forget the weary march, 

The struggle and the strife ? 
Shall we forget the aching pains, 

The dreadful loss of life ? 

— Chorus. 



30 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Shall we forget the comrades dear, 
The boys who fought and bled ? 

Shall we forget the heroes brave, 
Who slumber with the dead ? 

— CJionis. 

We'll not forget the cruel war. 
Nor what the boys endured ; 

The blessings on our land conferred, 
The freedom it secured. 

— Chorus. 



Memorial Hymn. 31 



MEMORIAL HYMN. 

Oh ! Lightly tread near martyr'd dead, 

Who slumber here. 
Each sacred mound is hallowed ground, 
Their deeds revere. 

In dangers great they saved the state, 

A nation dear. 
'Mid bitter foes unnumbered woes. 

Each name revere. 

No more shall float the bugle's note. 

That calls to arms ; 
No dress-parade, nor war-like raid. 

Nor dread alarms. 

Returning spring will verdure bring; 

To deck the sod. 
Let thanks arise to pierce the skies, 

Praises to our God. 



32 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



COLLEGE BOYS FOR PROHIBITION. 

Old parties now on either side 

Are going to decay ; 
They've lost their grip on honest men, 
And dread the coming day. 

Reform in party creeds, they all 

With one accord refuse; 
No effort make to wrongs adjust, 

And honest men abuse. 

Now hoarse with shouts for silver free, 

For tariffs high and low ; 
No more remove the liquor curse, 

Our greatest source of woe. 

To gain your vote they promise much, 

And little will perform ; 
Deceive the people every time, 

And that brings on a storm. 

Great moral wrecks and panic shocks. 
Now o'e- the country spread; 



College Boys for Prohibition. 33 

A land of untold riches cursed 
By drunken paupers' tread. 

Prohibition is growing fast, 

Is sure to bring surprise ; 
It gets recruits from every source 

And gathers up supplies. 

The college boys are in the fight, 

And one and all propose, 
To kill the poison viper drink 

By Prohibition blows. 

Now fired with zeal, they'll stump the state, 

And set all hearts ablaze ; 
Just do a work for God and man 

That well deserves our praise. 

Shall legislative halls be cursed 

With villains high and low ? 
Make laws to ruin Church and State, 

Where crimes in torrents flow ? 

Shall men become distressing poor 

By drink's most dread control ; 
Shall perjured lips make laws that wreck 

The never-dying soul ? 

No, no, ten thousand times we'll shout. 
On God we'll all rely ; 
3 



34 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

And kill the fiendish^liquor wretch, 
Or in the effort die. 

Strong drink no more, the starving poor 
Will have their wants supplied ; 

And billions for the public good. 
Will never be denied. 



Prohibition. 35 



PROHIBITION. 



A CALL TO DUTY, 

Read before the Members of the First Baptist Church at a 
Church Covenant meeting, Topeka, Kansas, Aug. 29, 1895, 
by ex-judge J. L. Eldridge. 

Our lips with courage shall declare 
What heaven will have us do : 

'Tis crush the demon liquor trade, 
The monster voice subdue. 

No mortal can its guilt describe, 

Nor all its wrongs rehearse, 
Nor write it down in honest prose, 

Nor truth-revealing verse. 

It wrecks its ships on every sea. 

And ruins many a farm. 
This deadly serpent's near the home, 

And always doing harm. 

It stings and bites our youthful friends, 
And those not young in years ; 



36 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Gives keenest grief to those at home, 
And fills their eyes with tears. 

It crowds our jails with guilty men, 
And robs the home of peace. 

The poor it dooms to great distress, 
And offers no release. 

It burns the stomach to a crisp, 
And sets the brain on fire. 

It ruins men of every age, 
And wakes a fell desire. 

To disobey our father's God, — 
His boundless love ignore ; 

Ill-treats the Saviour of mankind, 
Whom good men all adore. 

How vast and vile the liquor curse, — 

The great satanic plan, 
To wreck and rob the human race, 

And kill immortal man ! 

Our father's God, we plead with thee, 
Dear Lord, grant us Thine aid ; 

Give Prohibition to our land. 
Exterminate the trade. 

Let church exclude its license men, 
Be license high or low ; 



Prohibition. 37 

No more condone these sinful acts, 
This frightful source of woe. 

'Good men and parties all unite, 

Their duties well perform ; 
And slay the Moloch of the age, 

And speed the grand reform. 

In prison cells let liquor men 

Take their deserving place ; 
No more to rob their fellow-men, 

Nor scourge the human race. 

" No billion dollar bill for drink," 

Will be the people's creed ; 
No fiendish liquor license laws ; 

To make the nation bleed. 

All treasures spent for burning drink 

In proper channels flow ; 
No lack of food for all mankind, 

Nor bitter source of woe. 

Then arid lands will be reclaimed, 

And deserts far and wide, 
Perennial verdure spread abroad. 

And every want supplied. 

Then drunken poor will be unknown, 
What wonders shall we see, 



38 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

To till the soil in ways improved, 
And navigate the sea. 

All hail the fast approaching time. 
What glories we'll behold ; 

Such blessings on the sons of men 
As never can be told. 



Lines. 39 



LINES 

Suggested by reading an account of a drunken father killing 
his five-year-old son by dashing his head against a brick wall, 
at Toledo, Ohio, July 20, 1S93. 

Rise, earnest men, and kill the trade 

That ruins young and old ; 
Remove strong drink the cause of wrongs 

That never can be told. 

Repeal all liquor license laws,. 

The cause of dreaded woe ; 
Put Prohibition in its place 

And crime will cease to flow. 

Rush laws through on the double quick, 

Have jails securely built ; 
Distillers, brewers here remain. 

To ponder o'er their guilt. 

Saloons must go, they rob the State, 

A crime it must not share — 
No sale of drink to craze the brain. 

That drive men to despair. 



40 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

No more shall father murder son, 
Nor bring distressing grief ; 

Good laws will stop such tragic acts, 
And bring a sweet relief. 

Prohibition is from our God, 

Its virtues we proclaim, 
It has a power to banish wrong 

And put its foes to shame. 

It brings relief to suffering poor, 

With blessings in its train. 
We ask the nation for this law, 

And shall we ask in vain? 

Ten righteous men will save each State, 
Inspire the friends with zeal ; 

Increase the faith that works by love. 
And makes the nation feel 

That wrongs like rum must be no more, 
Destroy the tragic, that's our creed; 

To kill the guilty liquor wretch, 
The Church must take the lead. 

All liquor men must leave the Church, 
Or quick their sins confess ; 

Must sorrows feel and pardon crave 
Or suffer in distress. 



Lines. 41 

The cause of Christ will then advance, 

In love, and works increase ; 
Heaven will give unnumbered joys, 

Thrice happy days of peace. 

No perjured men in halls of State, 

None will their oath ignore ; 
Then honest men good laws will make, 

Prosperous times restore. 

No lack of food for all mankind, 

Nor want of good attire ; 
A shelter from the stormy blast, 

And coal for winter's fire. 

Strong drink no more, on fatted calf 

We'll feast, with joyful noise, 
A harmless time for all the girls 

And pleasant for the boys. 



42 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



THE TEMPERANCE CAMPAIGN. 

To your post, ye temperance host, 

The foes are now uniting, 
They hope to gain, in this campaign, 

By most desp'rate fighting. 

For fancied right to curse and blight, 

This fair domain abroad, 
And rudely cast a with'ring blast, 

On this heritage of God. 

To arms ! to arms ! sound the alarm ! 

From every hill and valley, 
On one broad line, let all combine. 

And for prohibition rally. 

For King Alcohol, the foe to all. 

Is marshaling his forces. 
He's armed replete with fraud, deceit. 

And other base resources. 

This vile king, has the adder's sting. 
The serpent's deadly bite. 



The Temperance Campaign. 43 

They suffer most who serve him best, 
And quench the Spirit's light. 

His forked tongue has myriads stung, 

O may he never tickle more. 
Alas, alas ! that the social glass 

Should afflict our race so sore. 

His wicked reign counts millions slain, 

By deaths the most appalling ; 
And Mercy stands with imploring hands 

And now for help is calling. 

The father, wild, he throws his child 

From attic's lofty ceiling ; 
Takes the life from a loving wife 

And is lost to sense of feeling. 

Then raise the alarm ; " Do thyself no harm." 

Touch not the accursed thing ; 
Or else be slain in the cruel reign 

Of this Alcoholic King. 

Who can rehearse in storied verse 

What alcohol is doing ? 
Its war on health and treasured wealtn, 

Its robbery and ruin. 

Should a foreign foe produce such woe, 
We'd hurl him from the land. 



44 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

We'd soon expel this imp of hell ; 
We'd no such folly stand. 

We'll work and vote and thus promote 

The cause to us so dear ; 
Enforce the law, 'twill blessings draw — 

Make smiHng thrift appear. 

On with the fight, ye men of might, 
With courage brave and strong; 

As God is just, succeed we must 
In fighting this great wrong. 



A Kansas Hymn. 45 



A KANSAS HYMN. 

"WHEN WE SIT DOWN TO DINE." 

Shall we forget, my brethren dear, 
We've banished all the wine ? 

We'll take a cup of Mocha rare, 
When we sit down to dine. 

Shall we forget the bitter strife.'' 

We still abhor the wine ; 
Young Hyson tea is our delight. 

When we sit down to dine. 

We'll not forget on Kansas soil, 

We sought his aid Divine ; 
We've no strong drink to curse the State, 

As we sit down to dine. 

No drunken poor, nor wealthy sots, 

None in sad want repine ; 
Each table's spread with ample fare. 

As all sit down to dine. 

We'll not forget our sister states. 
May Heaven all hearts incline. 



46 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Elect good men to make our laws, 
Ere we sit down to dine. 

We'll not forget our father's God, 

Implore his aid Divine, 
To overthrow the demon drink, 

As men sit down to dine. 

Let pulpit, press, pray, preach and vote, 

With one accord combine ! 
Remove the dreadful liquor curse. 

Ere we sit down to dine. 

Hail ! Prohibitions' onward march, 
The fast approaching time, 

When drunkards' drink will cease to be, 
As men sit down to dine. 



Temperance Report adopted by the First Baptist Church, 
Topeka, A'ansas, also poem " Saloons Must Go." 



Count that man an enemy to good morals, good religion and 
good government who desires, or consents to legalize a traffic 
that manufactures drunkards. 

Let the members of legislative bodies remember that their 
oath of office forbids them from enacting laws that ruin the rich, 
or destroy the poor. Laws must promote domestic tranquillity 
and the general welfare, not ill fare, but welfare. Laws must 
promote sobriety and not drunkenness, wealth and not poverty, 
happiness and not despair. Liquor license lavrs are in clear 
violation of oath recorded obligations. 



Plain Talk and Kind Advice. 47 



PLAIN TALK AND KIND ADVICE. 

To Enemies of Prohibition with En- 
couraging Words to its Friends. 

Who has joined the whisky plan 
To blaspheme God and ruin man, 
Unsurpassed since time began 

Its annual round ? 

Demoralized church and clergy who do nothing for Pro- 
hibition and imitate the Priest and Levite who gave no 
aid to the half dead traveler who had fallen among 
thieves while on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

Who has power to slay the foe 
And stop the cause of grief and woe, 
Where vice and crime in torrents flow, 

The Christian Church ? 

Whose Great Head has " All power in heaven and 
earth. Whose twenty million Church members can destroy 
the traffic root and branch when they follow the instruc- 
tion of the Bible. 

Who fire the brain with hated zeal. 
Cause men to murder, rob and steal 



48 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

And no remorse of conscience feel ? 

Those engaged in 

The liquor business, their proper place is in the cell of 
a prison, their doom " where the worm dieth not, and the 
fire is not quenched." 

Whose guilt, alas ! is very great, 
Who injure Church and ruin State, 
Bring on themselves a dreaded fate, 
To last for evermore? 

Political desperadoes — members of legislative bodies 
who commit perjury of an aggravated nature when they 
vote to legalize the liquor saloon traffic, a traffic that is 
in clear violation of the organic law of this Christian 
nation — they have no moral or constitutional right to 
legalize a traffic that manufactures drunkards, paupers 
and criminals- 
Almighty God, these men convert. 
And in their hearts thy love insert, 
No more thy righteous law pervert. 

But do works meet 

For repentance, by a " cease to do evil " and " a learn 
to do well," by the enactment and enforcement of Prohibi- 
tion, the only legal method that can suppress the liquor 
traffic, and a condemnation of license as the " crime of 
crimes " and worse for a State than the presence of a 
highway robber or midnight incendiary. 

Who'll find from care a sweet release, 
No bitter strife, but love and peace; 



Plain Talk and Kind Advice. 49 

Where future joys will never cease 

In happy days to come? 

The God-loving Prohibitionist who has faith in God 
that the time is drawing near when there will not be a 
legalized liquor saloon in all North America — the nation's 
billion-drink bill will be no more, and prosperity will be 
enjoyed hitherto unknown. 
4 



50 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



WILLIAM GEER. 

A story in verse, on the wicked folly and sad results of ale 
and beer drinking, also the cheering effect sure to follow 
the enactment and enforcement of prohibition. 

On Auburn Row, some years ago, 
There lived young William Geer, 

Who seemed to think, no harm to drink. 
His ale and lager beer. 

Now William's thirst was slight at first, 

But rapidly it grew. 
Until desire, seemed like a fire 

To burn him through and through. 

This dreadful thirst, it almost burst 

Each artery and vein. 
It cried " Give, give, how can I live 

So heated is my brain ? " 

Drink gave relief, but oh ! how brief ; 

'Twas fuel to the fire ; 
Passion raged, like tigers caged. 

And with a fiend desire. 



William Geer. 51 

For angry strife, with loss of life, 

Now in a drunken fight, 
Poor Wilh'am shot his neighbor's son, 

His friend, young Reuben Wright. 

Then filled with dread, poor William fled. 

Was caught — by jury tried, 
To murder check, around his neck 

A rope, alas ! was tied. 

" On scaffold high, about to die, 

Be warned of my career, 
For mercy's sake, oh, never take 

Wine, ale, or lager beer. 

" Drink caused the strife, that ends my life. 

Oh God, I plead with thee. 
Have mercy on my guilty soul, 

Dear Lord, ' Remember me.' " 

The awful blow, so fraught with woe 

To all the Wrights and Geers, 
Found slight relief, for inward grief, 

In agonizing tears. 

Now men and boys, increase your joys ; 

Spurn, oh, spurn ale and beer, 
Or you'll be stung, perhaps be hung, 

Like poor young William Geer. 



52 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Now Church and State, will seal the fate 

Of this dread liquor foe, 
No license laws, prolific cause, 

Of never-ending woe. 

Then peace will reign o'er hill and plain, 

With every want supplied ; 
Heaven will give unnumbered joys 

To never be denied. 

Each year in America, not far from a hundred thousand 
persons are hurried to a dismal eternity by the use of alco- 
holic liquors. About three thousand of these meet a tragic 
fate. " Domestic tranquillity " and the " General welfare " 
demand that this drunkard-making, poverty-creating and 
crime-producing business be destroyed, root and branch. The 
twenty million church members must lead in the work of an- 
nihilation, then will the widow's heart sing for joy, and those 
ready to perish will ioin in the glad refrain of " Peace on earth 
and good will to men." 



Plain Talk. 53 



PLAIN TALK. 

Some plain talk and good advice, in prose and verse, to 
the champion liquor license-law advocate and his few 
comrades in the house and senate of the Kansas Legis- 
lature together with congratulations over the grand suc- 
cess of prohibition. 

BY FIDELLAS. 

Who has joined the whisky plot 
To make my friend a drunken sot ? 
His money take, his stomach rot 
With alcoholic drinks? 

The liquor saloon advocate whose idea of Liberty is a licei^se 
to do wrong. 

Who tries with false and wordy blows 
To kill the law that grog shops close — 
Fount and source of countless woes ? 

The " Champion " who wants to license a trade that produces 
drunkenness, pauperism and crime. 

Who wants to license men to sell 
A drink that makes on earth a hell, 



54 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Where victims swear, figlit and yell, 
And other kindred acts ? 
The Demosthenes of the House. 

Who spends his breath in vain, 
Brings on his soul a guilty stain 
That will for long years remain. 

And bring remorse, oh dread remorse? 

This orator who takes an oath to support the Constitution and 
the laws, and then in wild harangues denounces them, and 
encourages a lawless set to disobey, thereby receiving to 
himself the just censure of all honest men. 

Who are stupid, vile and mean, 
Beyond the power of soap and steam 
To make them white and clean ? 

These heartless men who clamor for " high license," well 
knowing that if by any possil^ility it could be granted, it 
would oblige dealers to sell large quantities to young and 
old, causing great poverty and distress, duplicating sad 
cases like Ellas Pontius, whose thirst for drink caused his 
family to suffer and his wife to die from actual want ; and 
the saloon-keepers who produced this result have been 
mulcted by the court in damages to the amount of ;^2,ioo. 

Who will go to that dreaded place, 
Beyond the reach of sovereign grace, 
Unless they quick their steps retrace ? 

These men who have office on the brain, and violate their oath 
by trying to make laws to encourage vice and crime by 
license, when they should work for prohibition and com- 



Plain Talk. 55 

mercial prosperity, and assist in framing laws to encourage 
temperance, thrift, education, benevolence and all the 
kindred virtues. 

Who should go down on their marrow bones 
And plead in strong, beseeching tones 
For pardon, for wrecking homes 
To many a household dear ? 

These political shysters who turn a deaf ear to the cries of 
distress, the claims of humanity and the appeals of 
justice. 

Not a mad ambition then will go astray, 
Nor wish their oath to disobey. 
Nor try to win their wicked way 
To Legislative Halls. 

Hail ! Prohibition, grand success ! 
It's come to stay, it's come to bless 
And save our land from dire distress, 
In this, and generations yet unborn. 



56 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



ALL HAIL PROHIBITION ! 

THE ONLY LEGAL METHOD THAT CAN SUP- 
PRESS THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. 

THE BEST REMEDY FOR HARD TIMES. 

Its enactment into law by legislative bodies and enforce- 
ment by executives will close distilleries, breweries, liquor 
saloons, gladden the heart of millions ; bring on a state of 
prosperity to our beloved country hitherto unknown. In 
Kansas it is a grand success. 



Then! 



Hurrah ! for our cause in 
Each town and city, 

We war on a trade that's 
Unknown to pity. 

Victims of drink, alas ! 

The wounds are sadder 
Than bite of a snake or 

Sting of an adder. 



All Hail Prohibition ! 57 

Oh ! its work on the heart 

And sensitive brain ; 
Brings lasting reproach 

That's sure to remain. 

It rots out the stomach, makes 

Holes in the pocket, 
Men fall with a crash — blaze 

Up like a rocket. 

Then hurrah for the boys who 

Have taken the pledge, 
You are surrounded by 

An excellent hedge 

That keeps off the headache, and 

Those terrible ills, 
That cannot be cured with 

Sugar-coated pills. 

Then farewell to strong drink, 

It's sure to do harm, 
Boy's save up your money, 

And buy you a farm. 

With good books, prime buildings, 

Every laudable wish. 
From sugar-cured hams 

To extra nice fish. 



58 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

With rich soil, big crops 
And Herfordshire cattle ; 

How pleasant is home, 
How easy life's battle. 

In God we'll trust and work 

For Prohibition, 
'Twill add to our wealth. 

Improve our condition. 

And cause America, 
The land of our birth, 

A thousand times better 
Than richest of earth. 

Should a fiat from our God, 
With one sweeping blow 

Erase the dread thirst, 
The trade overthrow, 

What gifted imagination 
Could picture the scene, 

From Atlantic to Pacific 
With cities in between. 

Wealth, worse than lost in 
Trade of double-dyed guilt, 

Would great cities erect, 
Have commerce rebuilt. 



All Hail Prohibition ! 59 

In grandeur and splendor 

Ne'er seen before, 
Since Marco Polo arrived 

On a Florentine shore. 

Mountains east and west ; 

Their vast hidden ore 
Would yield to industry, 

Add to our store. 

Labor and pleasure, mingled 

With plenty to do, 
Our wealtli v/ould outrival 

The land of Peru. 

More and more railroads 

The Continent span, 
And enterprises vast 

On a magnificent plan. 

'Twould eclipse an Arabian tale 

Or poetic dream ; 
To see electricity applied, 

New uses of steam. 

Temperance, the hand-maid 
Of religion, jointly combined 

Would raise fallen man, 
Develop the mind. 



6o What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Unclouded intellects would 

Improvements devise ; 
Edison out-wit, 

Our country surprise. 

Then we'll shout for our cause 
While time floats along. 

O ! join in the labor 
Unite in the song. 

Christian Church activity is bound to drive the legalized 
liquor traffic for beverage use out of existence. The latent 
power lodged in more than twenty million church members 
in America will be developed and insure the enactment and 
enforcement of prohibitory liquor law legislation. The first 
decade of the new opening century will produce wonders. 



" The Saloons Must Go." 6i 



"THE SALOONS MUST GO.' 

The drunkards drink, the die was cast 
As through the land, there bravely passed. 
Good Christian men, 'mid mud and ice, 
With banners bearing this device. 

Saloons must go. 

They saw the wrecks, rum's awful guilt, 
The ruined homes, no more rebuilt, 
They saw the young, the old, the fair, 
In great distress, in wild despair. 

Saloons must go. 

Behold the trade that ruins men, 
The beer saloon — the robber's den, 
Good men declare with flashing eye, 
This murder trade is doomed to die. 

Saloons must go. 

With courage strong, each friend elate, 
With conscience clear, good fighting weight. 
Thrice armed, — the quarrel just. 
Success is sure, — in God we trust. 

Saloons must go. 



62 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

The time is short — it's drawing near. 
We've naught to dread, we've naught to fear, 
The uttered oft repeated prayer 
Is heard and feh, 'mid startled air, 

Saloons must go. 

Each Church and State, will aid the cause 
With sober men, and righteous laws. 
With wealth and peace — the land is free, 
The liquor trade has ceased to be. 



The Commandments. 63 



TEN COMMANDMENTS 

FOR THE EXTERMINATION OF THE LIQUOR 
TRAFFIC. 

I. Thou shalt love total abstinence and Pro- 
hibition, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, 
and with all thy strength, because they are in 
harmony with the commandments given by the 
Almighty, the enlightened judgment of man- 
kind, and the teachings of the Bible, that de- 
clares a woe to the wine-bibber. 

II. Thou shalt declare the liquor traffic the 
greatest curse that ever afflicted our suffering 
race. 

III. Thou shalt declare the distiller, the 
brewer, the saloon-keeper, equal to, if not 
worse than, a highway robber or midnight 
assassin. 

IV. Thou shalt declare the liquor license 
system a covenant with death and agreement 
with hell. 

V. Thou shalt place Prohibition upon the 
statute books of all the States and the nation. 



64 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

VI. Thou shalt declare Prohibition to be the 
only legal method that can suppress the liquor 
traffic — a traffic that hurries its thousands to 
a pauper's burial and a drunkard's hell. 

VII. Thou shalt declare a belief in Prohibi- 
tion to be one of the tests of Christian disciple- 
ship — the same as honesty and purity are tests. 

VIII. Thou shalt withdraw the hand of 
church fellowship from all who engage in the 
liquor business or who advocate having it 
licensed — the church cannot excuse such moral 
stupidity and such Christian insensibility. 

IX. Thou shalt regard the member of a legis- 
lative body who votes to legalize the liquor j 
saloon traffic — a traffic that manufactures 
drunkards, paupers, and criminals — as dis- 
honest — he has no moral or constitutional 
right to violate the organic law of the land. 

X. Thou shalt have great confidence in the 
Christian church — " when right with God," its 
power is unlimited. All hail the near approach 
of its being developed, when its twenty million 
church members will sweep the liquor traffic 
out of existence. 






An Appeal to the Churches. 65 



AN APPEAL TO THE CHURCHES, 

TO SECURE RIGHTEOUS LEGISLATION FOR THE 
SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE. 

Read before a large audience at Tremont Temple, Boston, 
Aug. 1898. 

But one moment more, and my duty is done ; 

I'd talk to the Church Hke a she to a son : 
Dear Brothers and Sisters, spread on the war- 
paint, 

Each work like a hero and pray like a saint. 

The Church of our God, a part of its mission 
Is to preach and pray for Prohibition. 

Jehovah's laid down the rule and the rod, 
That " no drunkard can enter the Kingdom 
of God." 

That Christian's mean and spuriously made, 

Who'd license this demon Alcohol trade ; 
Where crime is engendered, ruin made sure, 
The young become reckless, the old become 
poor. 
5 



66 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Where the will becomes lost beyond all control, 
A demoralized stomach, a sin-debauched 
soul ; 

A wreck of a body, the stoppage of breath, 
A terrible life, a premature death. 

License Christian's moral optics, oh, how 
obscure ! 

Almost beyond the reach of a radical cure. 
A soul so benumbed needs oceans of grace. 

To cleanse its black heart, its guilt to efface. 

The Church must crush out this villainous 
trade. 
Where drunkards are formed, paupers are 
made. 
No quarters to this murderous, merciless foe, 
Source of great sorrow and unending woe. 

She must strive and pray for this grand reform. 
Cheer on the work in sunshine and storm ; 

The stupid enlighten, the vicious restrain, 
The indifferent arouse, the erring reclaim. 

All traitors rebuke, the faithful inspire, 
With a holy zeal and God-like desire ; 

Create such a thinking, intense commotion 
As to shake our broad land from ocean to 
ocean. 



An Appeal to. the Churches. 67 

The prayers of Christians will surely prevail 
Bring on a breeze, a cyclonic gale ; 

Sweep o'er the land from farthest shore, 
Our nation reclaim, our country restore. 

States and nations will then be impressed: 
Prohibition's wise, prohibition's best ; 

Amended constitutions, laws to prohibit 
The sale as a beverage of all ardent spirit. 

All fall into line, cities near and remote, 

Sustain wholesome laws, by prayer and by 
vote ; 

With our flag a-flying, banner unfurled. 
We clasp the arm that encircles the world. 

Thank God for the progress Kansas has made 
In doing away with this demon-like trade ; 

Saloonists are frightened, and haste to retire, 
Our cause is spreading like a prairie on fire. 



68 What Think Ye of Christ i 



WHO IS TO BLAME? 

Suggested by viewing, some years ago, near Harvard Col- 
lege, Cambridge, Mass., the remains of young James McElhany, 
v^'ho had been executed that day for killing his wife, while on 
a drunken spree, some months before. 

Who did the deed? the awful crimo, 

Was he alone to blame ? 
Who caused the fatal shot to 

Go crashing through the brain ? 

Twas madd'ning drink fired the brain, 

With wild chaotic craze. 
'Twas this that sent the pistol shot — 

The mind was in a daze. 

But who ! alas, was most to blame? 

Many must take a share, 
For God alone can measure guilt 

That drive men to despair. 

Distillers were the first in guilt, 

'Twas cruel heartless greed 
For them to make a poison drink 

To make the nation bleed. 



Who is to Blame ? 69 

The brewers joined the robber plan 

To ruin young and old. 
The dealer caused distressing grief 

That never can be told. 



The drinkers were a stupid set, 

To buy for beverage use 
A drink that kills — for such an act 

There can be no excuse. 

And voters oft were selfish men, 
Nor cared for woes of drink. 

Were so intent in getting rich 
They did not stop to think. 

Men not a few, in halls of state, 
Were slaves to drinks control. 

They joind the license plan to wreck 
The never dying soul. 

Governors and legislators oft 
Dishonest — oath ignored. 

They legalized the drunkard's drink, 
What good men all deplored. 

Judges oft were erring men, 

And many not sincere, 
Gave adverse views on righteous law, 

That Christian men revere. 



70 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

The clergy, they were fast asleep — 

Exceptions here and there — 
They did not try to drink suppress, 

Nor plead in earnest prayer 

For prohibition to prevail 

From land to land, shore to shore, 

Did not ask for righteous law. 
Nor help divine implore. 

License men crept in the church, 

Great harm, alas ! was done : 
Many were false to our fathers' God, 

To His beloved Son. 

The Church, alas ! forgot its God. 

The leaders joined the plan 
To license men to drunkards make. 

And kill immortal man. 

How deep the guilt, how vile the act. 

For men to liquor sell. 
A righteous God, will deal with those 

Who make on earth a hell. 

The Church with God-like power broke loose 

From drink's despotic sway ; 
No more would yield to sin and vice 

Nor vicious men obey. 



Who is to Blame ? 71 

With love to God, and love to man, 

All plead in earnest prayer, 
And prohibition gain the day. 

With a milHon votes to spare. 

Rum-soaked parties grew very sick, 

And with consumption died. 
Heaven gave the land enormous crops ; 

All had their wants supplied. 

Improvements vast, problems solved, 

Inventive wonders grew, 
Each gave strong drink a parting shot 

And bid the wretch adieu. 

And plenty smiled, wealth increased 

Many a thousand-fold, 
The Gospel was held in high esteem, 

Above the price of gold. 

PROHIBITION 
IS RIGHT, A GREAT BLESSING, AND A GRAND 

SUCCESS. 

LICENSE 

IS WRONG, A GREAT CURSE, AND DISMAL 

FAILURE. 



72 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



PILGRIM FATHERS. 

Should days of pilgrims be forgot 
When no kixuries were used, 

When wives worked very hard 
And could not be excused. 

When crops were often very short, 
And comforts few were found, 

And not a single stove was seen 
In all the country round. 

Inhabitants were very few — 

A cabin here and there. 
Rudely built on a pleasant mound 

That now's a cit}^ square. 

Such pinching want was felt 
By those to affluence born ; 

Reduced alone to clams and fish 
And a single ear of corn. 

And then a dreadful savage foe, 
Relentless and severe. 



Pilgrim Fathers. 73 

Lurking behind rock, bush or tree, 
Or other spot quite near. 

Should e'er such gloomy times return, 
Such long, such dismal years, 

Who could stay the wife's sad grief 
Or dry her flowing tears ? 

As we compare those dismal years 

How very strange they seem 
To us, whose labors are performed 

By magic aid of steam. 

A wondrous change has come. 

Inventive skill is seen. 
Labor now is very light, 

With pleasure mix'd between. 

By it we ride, weave, cook and plant 

Farm it now with ease ; 
Navigate the starry skies 

And plow the stormy seas. 

Pierce mountains rocky through. 

Lay ocean's bed with fire, 
Dig coal down deep in mother earth 

To furnish us with fire. 

O wondrous inventive skill 
To nature's face transform, 



74 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Guide lightning from the skies 
And safely ride the storm. 

To God our thanks are due. 

He gave to man the power 
To have the labors of a week 

Accomplished in an hour. 

riien let us all obedient prove. 
More wonders shall we see. 
Improved ways to till the soil 
And navigate the sea. 

No arid waste. Scientific skill 
Will triumph o'er the land, 

Make smiling verdure grow 
On blinding heaps of sand. 

No dismal swamps, nor barren wastes, 

Nor desolating gloom, 
But hills and mountain slopes 

With constant verdure bloom. 



Lines on the Removal of a Depot. 75 



LINES ON THE REMOVAL- OF A 
DEPOT AT WINCHESTER, MASSA- 
CHUSETTS. 

How do the busy Palmer men 

Improve each shining hour, 
And gather all the names they can 

V/ith all their monied power, 

To move the Depot far away, 

A thousand feet or so, 
Reduce the value of our homes 

And make us farther go. 

'Mid chilling wind, hail, and sleet, 

And winter's drifting snow, 
With summer's vivid lightning's flash 

When rain in torrents flow. 

At morn, at night, in shine and storm 

With seasons annual round, 
Alas ! this dreadful added length 

Will many miles be found. 



76 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

In haste we travel for the cars 
To find ourselves too late. 

Our feelings at this cruel move 
We dare not here relate. 

To build the needed streets, will make 

Us all more taxes p^y : 
Alas ! the horrors of these acts 

No language can convey. 

To remove the well-known shop, where 

Leather now is tanned, 
Build new streets at town's expense is 

Why the scheme is planned. 

To raise the value of their land 

They do a fearful wrong, 
Break the glorious golden rule 

And mingled grief prolong. 

How skilfully they work away, 
The cars and village scour. 

Deceiving many with a plan, like 
Two and three make four. 

But their soft words will not deceive 

The voters of the town 
Already they've a protest made, 

Cast on the scheme a frown. 



Lines an the Removal of a Depot, 'j'j 

Misguided friends, soon may you feel 

How wicked you have been, 
To disregard the golden rule 

Committing such a sin. 

To give offense is not our wish 
But still we must speak plain ; 

To wound the feelings of a friend 
Would give us inward pain. 

Admonished by these lines, lay 
Them not too much at heart. 

But just repent, with grief sincere 
And from the scheme depart. 

In Christian wish, we now behold 
These men confess their guilt. 

Declare — Depots on such a lot 
Shall never now be built. 

The war is o'er, shout Palmer men, 

For happy you will be. 
Each face will wear a smiling look 

Because of inward glee. 

Peace will reign, delightful sound. 

Harmonious to the ear. 
No angry strife town meeting days 

Will in our halls appear. 



78 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Then will the wealthy Palmer men 

Improve each shining hour, 
By doing all the good they can 

With all their monied power. 

By building streets and cottage homes, 

And costly dwellings fine. 
With trees and hedge, a flowering shrub, 

In harmony combine. 

To gentle offices of love. 

Their feet will not be slow , 
Shouting farewell, a long farewell, 

Poor Palmer lot Depot. 



The Tea Plant. 79 



THE TEA PLANT. 

A FABLE. 

It now appears two thousand years 
Since Darmar, Koolooge's son, 

With pleasing speech, began to teaph 
To all that were undone : 

No flesh or meat should any eatj 

Nor ever close their eyes, 
For if they did, the gods forbid 

Their passage to the skies. 

For many years, *mid sighs and tears, 
His faith he zealous kept ; 

The drowsy god, it made him nod, 
When, O ! alas, he slept. 

When he awoke, his vow was broke. 
And horror fill'd his mind : 

'' My friends," said he, " I'd rather be 
Among the dead or blind." 



8o What Think Yc of Christ ? 

His eyes they shut, his hds were cut 

And fell upon the ground. 
On the next morn they grew like corn. 

Thus was the tea plant found. 

Each winker gre\v% 'twas fun to view 
Them spread from field to field ; 

The crops they sold for solid gold 
And gave a splendid yield. 

O wondrous plant, for thee I pant, 

Thou solace of«-my days ! 
How can I speak thy matchless worth. 

Or half describe thy praise. 

Tis always fraught with cheering thought, 

It cheers the drooping mind, 
Clasps continents in loving peace, 

And lasting friendships bind. 

It sweetly cheers declining years. 

Allays corroding care, 
Gives kind relief to keenest grief. 

And drives away despair. 



A Bard's Anniversary. 8i 



A BARD'S ANNIVERSARY. 

" KiCKAPOO " Mr. A. McNab, w liter and poet of Marshal] 

County, Kansas. 

Hail! Scotia's Bard, now fifty-three, 
A cheerful note is due from me. 
To sing of skill how few possess, 
A country charm, a nation bless. 

Oh, wondrous gift, in language terse 
Weave richest thought, in pleasing verse. 
Delightful prose, concise and clear, 
Provoke a smile, and draw a tear. 

Just merit is oft denied 
By stupid men with envious pride. 
For logic strong, style not severe. 
Who can excel our Scottish seer? 

In youth he left his native glen 
For busy scenes of busy men. 
Crossed the sea. the bounding main 
To wealth secure, a fortune gain. 
6 



8^ What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Not his are stocks nor costly ore, 
Nor piles of wealth, laid by in store ; 
But ampler wealth — a well-stored mind 
To charm the world, and bless mankind. 

Kickapoo, may your declinincj years 
Be free from pain, free from tears. 
Wealth pour in a perfect flood 
And reap great joy in doing good. 

And when your work is fully done, 
No more you view yon shining sun, 
May you to heavenly mansions soar, 
In endless bliss dwell evermore. 



Golden Wedding. 83 



GOLDEN WEDDING. 

Should days of Wakefield be forc^ot 
South Reading brought to mind? 

We'll celebrate a wedding day, 
And pleasure from it find. 

Shall we forget the couple dear 

Who fifty years to-day 
Just locked their hearts in early love 

Then threw the key away ? 

Shall we forget the lock was strong ? 

No foe its bolts could break, 
Nor envious, malignant tongue 

The least impression make. 

Shall we forget this lock so old 

Is just as good as new, 
To brave life's dark and stormy sea. 

And cheer its passage through ? 

Shall we forget this magic lock 
To loving couples given? 



84 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

*Tis unsurpassed by ties of earth 
'Tvvas made, 'tis said, in heaven. 

Shall we forget the happy group, 

Assembled round the fire. 
Where age joined youth in merry glee, 

The children and the sire ? 

Shall we forget the archer came. 
Three forms were laid away, 

'Mid sorrows deepest, keenest grief 
Since fifty years to-day? 

We'll not forget our father's God, 

Nor all the wonders done. 
The triumphs over time and space 

Battles fought, victories won. 

Should anniversaries be forgot 
The Tufts's brought to mind; 

All join this harmless, jovial song, 
And leave your cares behind. 



A Song to the Mosquito. 85 



A SONG TO THE MOSQUITO. 

Dedicated to the bitten sufferers throughout North America 
and the Islands of the Sea. 

With keen delight the skeeters bite, 

And sting our tender flesh ; 
Present their bills, their stomachs fill, 

And bleed us all afresh. 

They quickly light, and savage bite 

Our face, our ears, our nose ; 
While we in turn, with anger burn, 

And deal them deadly blows. 

Now lots are slain, but hosts remain. 

And in brigades unite ; 
Swift on the wing, they waltz and sing. 

Through all the hours of night ; 

They bite dear girls, with auburn curls 
And those, not young in years ; 

Retard the joys, of little boys, 
And fill their eyes with tears. 



86 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

In starving rage, forget old age, 

And all endearing tics ; 
On blood they feed with awful greed, 

And gather up supplies. 

Pestiferous birds, we fail in words 

To state what we desire ; 
Oh, quickly pack your old grip sack. 

To colder climes retire. 

No concerts then, to plague old men, 

Perplexing cares forsake ; 
No racket, — noise, to mar our joys, 

Nor keep young men awake. 



I Will Go West. 87 



I WILL GO WEST. 

Oh ! times are tough, amazing rough, 

Expenses are alarming, 
I will go West, its far the best, 

And try my luck at farming. 

For the idea of staying here, 

To only earn your gruel, 
Makes me feel sad, and sometimes mad, 

It's so awful cruel. 

Goods are so high, I heave a sigh ; 

Oh ! 'tis patience trying. 
My loving wife, she sees the strife, 

And has a spell of crying. 

Now there's my boys, my chiefest joys, 

To have them in the city. 
Amid the harm, gives me alarm, 

And I ache with pity. 

And there's my girls, with auburn curls, 
May be slaves to fashion, 



88 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

And lay such stress, on how to dress, 
Become a ruling passion. 

Oh ! this is tough, why it's enough 

To set a man crazy. 
I'm not insane, nor yet to blame, 

Nor am I lazy. 

I've often heard a cheering word, 
From those who westward wended, 

They've built a town, gained renown, 
In peace their days were ended. 

This honest toil on prairie soil 

Is really charming, 
None come to grief, its great relief, 

To have success in farming. 

Oh, it's no use I've stood abuse, 
I'll go with my dear Mary, 

Settle down in a western town — 
Farm it on the prairie. 

My barn's replete with corn and wheat 
And lots of milk and butter. 

'Twould be a shame to here complain, 
Or to a murmur utter. 

Thus well start, with a cheerful heart 
Nor fear our iourney hinders, 



I Will Go West. 89 

For we don't care a single hair 
For smoke or flying cinders. 

On end of car, we'll shout hurrah, 
Farewell to friend and neighbor. 

We are going where there's bread to spare, 
Easy time of labor. 



90 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



KATURAH BROWN. 

Katurah Brown was awful nice, 

Exact in all her ways ; 
For making pies she won the prize, 

And well deserved the praise. 

Iler bread was choice, her cake was fine, 

Her pies, how nice the crust! 
But her strong hold, it must be told, 

Was kicking up a dust. 

Now ]\Irs. Brown was very neat. 

But oh ! the mental strain, — 
For she was worked almost to death, 

With housework on the brain. 

She raised the windows very high 

To let the breeze come in. 
For dust and dirt to go sailing out. 

To join the hosts of sin. 

With duster, broom, cloth, soap, and suds, 
The rooms cleaned o'er and o'er, 



Katurah Brown. 91 

The work so hard, with nerves unstrung 
By sweeping up the floor. 

Carpets, rugs, on the hne, beat and shook 
The house made clean and sweet, 

She would say in a rasping way, 
" Ezekiel, wipe your feet." 

This grated much on Ezekiel's ears, 

A cross he had to bear. 
For Katurah was a foe to dirt 

And loaded down with care. 

He sighed for peace, death, divorce, 

Alas ! what could he do ? 
Afraid to cut life's brittle thread, 

And bid the world adieu. 

Vexed ; but no wrong would he perform 

'Twould mar his Christian hope. 
He would not leave Katurah dear, 

Nor with some girl elope. 

Godliness with content is gain. 

And neatness should abound ; 
Katurah had broom on the brain. 

And ran it in the ground. 

To be clad in white was her desire 
Enter the pearly gates, 



92 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

Be free from sin, dust and dirt, 
What she so dearly hates. 

She loathed the dirt, but loved the work. 

The broom was her delight. 
In heaven what will Katurah do ? 

No broom nor dust in sight. 

In that pure land of heavenly joys 
There'll be no moth nor rust, 

Naught to disturb the heavenly ways — 
No broom, nor dirt, nor dust. 

Now shun Katurah's sad mistake, 

And take this kind advice : 
Don't work too hard, it never pays 

To be too awful, awful nice. 



Mated. 93 



MATED. 

A SINGLE gentleman, an exile from home, 
Said to himself. Why should I roam? 
Why live apart, far, far away ? 
The laws of my being refuse to obey ? 

It's singular, that I should be single 
Refuse in society of loved ones to mingle. 
Each bird is sure to have its dear mate ; 
I'll no longer delay, no longer will wait. 

But take a nice " Rib," a dear loving bride, 
Life's sorrows to share, its pleasures divide. 
Now mated, I will no longer roam. 
But take the joys of a well-furnished home. 



94 • What Think Ye of Christ ? 



WILLIAM. 

Now William was a worthy young man, 
Squared his life by an excellent plan. 
Industrious, honest, a richly stored mind, 
Absence from liquor, by cultured refined ; 

His garments look'd fine, as he traveled along ; 
None neater was seen in the gay, giddy throng ; 
With a nice trade, extra good pay, 
Enough for comfort, 'mid life's rainy day. 

But William was unhappy — lived all alone; 
No spot could he call his sweet loving home, 
Until he got a companion, built him a house, 
Just as neat as a pin, and snug as a mouse. 



The Marriage of Charles. 95 



THE MARRIAGE OF CHARLES. 

" Charles, why not get married, my son ? 

You are old enough now. 
To think of a snug little home 

And a dear loving frau. 

" How pleasant to have a sweet home, 

Goods from a grocery store, 
Furniture placed in each room. 

Carpets laid on the floor. 

" Procrastination is a thief 

Of opportunity, my son, 
I see by the old family Bible, 

You are past twenty-one." 

" Father, I wish to rove round. 

And to live at my ease. 
To care for no one in the wide world, 

And just do as I please. 

" I wish to have freedom to live 

The life of an old bach, 
To have friends enter my room 

By just lifting the latch." 



96 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

" But, Charles, you must remember, 
Good matches quite early are made. 

They that put off this affair, oft 
Take a crusty old maid." 

" Well, father, times are quite hard, 
You wouldn't have me be rash. 

You know business is quite dull, 
There's a scarcity of cash." 

" But, my son, you have a good trade, 
'Twill sure bring you the cash. 

I see no reason or sense 
For calling the step rash. 

"Then a companion — I saw you 

With sweet Nellie Baker. 
Oh Charles, she's a dear, loving soul 

Be persuaded — just take her. 

" She's affectionate, kind and gentle, 

Will do as you wish, 
Play on the piano, mend all your 

Clothes, and fry all your fish." 

" I'm thinking — thinking — thinking, 

Change will be very nice. 
Father, I will take dear Nellie, 

Heed your loving advice. 



The Marriage of Charles. 97 

" Then away with all anxiety 

We'll borrow no trouble. 
Marriage divides hardship in two, 

Makes joys more than double." 

7 



98 What Think Ye of Christ ! 



COLUMBUS. 

Columbus, — Columbus. 

We admire his career, 
We honor his worth, 

His virtues revere. 

'Mid storm and commotion 
He stemmed the dark tide, 

To treasures secure. 
And comforts provide. 

He found a vast empire, 

Enormous in size. 
So ample in wealth as 

To nations surprise. 

It now teems with millions, 
With hearts true and brave; 

No room for a serf nor 
The tread of a slave. 

None for oppression, nor 
That man-killing-trade 



Columbus. 99 

Where drunkards are formed 
And paupers are made. 

Enriched by religion with 

Its treasures untold, 
'Twill vices remove, 

Great virtues unfold. 

Heaven's blessings for all. 

And comforts increase. 
The day of inventions. 

They never will cease. 

Oh ! America, its grandeur 

We fail to rehearse, 
In smooth-running prose, 

Or rich-flowing verse. 

Enlightened by science, 

By religion made pure, 
With a God-serving people, 

'Twill for ages endure. 



LofC. 



100 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



COLUMBUS EXPOSITION AND THE 
WORLD'S FAIR. 

Who'd have us write in language terse, 
In pleasing prose, and cheerful verse 
On Columbus "The Fair," and then rehearse 
the same in book form ? 
Many readers in America 

Who read navigation with his son, 
Studied hard when work was done 
His fame and fortune here begun? 
Christopher Columbus. 

Who taught Columbus how to steer 
When days were dark and nights were clear 
To shun the rocks, when they were near? 
Columbus's father-in-law. Good thing to have 
a good father-in-law. 

Who had a desire and long to see, 
Lands beyond the deep blue sea? 
To found an empire vast and free? 
The bold navigator of Genoa. 



Columbus Exposition. loi 

Who was unknown and quite obscure 

Was out of funds, and very poor, 

Found it hard to prompt secure 

aid to cross the bounding billow, and deep 
blue sea in search of a continent ? 
Columbus, the wool-comber's son. 

Who applied and applied in vain. 
To Ferdinand the King of Spain, 
For ships to cross the raging main? 
Columbus. 

Who was treated very mean. 
By all except the royal Queen, 
Who came upon the exciting scene. 
In time to give Columbus seventy dollars in 
money, enough to buy a mule, and a suit of 
clothes, to appear at the Castilian Court, 
and afterwards $20,000 to equip three 
small ships for the perilous voyage. 

Who bid farewell, the hoisted sail, 

To catch the breeze, outride the gale, 

In ships, alas! so very frail 

That the sailors feared that they would go to 
the bottom of the sea and furnish meals for 
sharks, whales and other denizens of the 
briny deep ? 
Columbus. 



102 What Think Ye of Christ ! 

Who steered for the unknown shore, 
To wealth secure, and lands explore, 
To treasures find in richest ore? 

Columbus, that he might compensate his 
beloved Queen Isabella, for the mule, and 
clothing and large cash donation. 

Who viewed from the vessel's mast 
The long-wished-for land at last ; 
Then rejoiced at dangers past? 

One of the crew of the Pinta. 

Who saw the flowers — the pleasing view — 
From vernal bloom to richest hue, 
From purest white to deepest blue ? 

Columbus at his first landing, where the ex- 
halation of the sea clothes the vine-clad 
hills with perennial verdure. 

Who found the natives somewhat rude, 
With clothing scant, and nearly nude ? 
(Mc Alestcr would such exclude 

from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia 

refined circles.) 
Columbus. 

Who said Columbus went on a bust, 
Was a writer poor, none could trust, 
Took to drink to wash down the dust 
that had accumulated in his throat ? 



Columbus Exposition. 103 

Mark Twain, author of Innocents 
Abroad, and slanderer of Columbus, 
the bold the navigator. 

Who told a fib, in fact he lied, 
Columbus was brave, true, and tried, 
With truth and honor well supplied ? 

Mark Twain the base fabricator. Col- 
umbus was no such man, For on the 
shores of Saint Salvador he offered 
prayer to God for providentially saving 
him and his crew from the perils of 
the deep blue sea. 

Who built the world's colossal Fair, 
Of bewildering size, exhibits rare, 

that made the people gaze and stare 
at such marvelous magnificence ? 

A syndicate, with the aid of Congress 
and the city government of Chicago. 

Who built great blocks, towering high 
To kiss the clouds, and pierce the sky 
That would all other lands outvie? 

The wealthy citizens of Chicago. 

Whose mind was stirr'd, all on fire, 
With miser grip — a strong desire 
To millions make, and then retire 
to shades of private life? 



104 What Think Yc of Christ ? 

The specuhitor, who bought farms 
twenty miles out, shced them into 
house lots, and tried to unload to visi- 
tors — but often got left. 

Who tried to make enormous pile 

To live at ease — in royal style, 

To never frown, but always smile 

at their guests, who came to celebrate the 
400th anniversary of the discovery of 
America by Columbus? 
The hotel keepers. 

Who rode in Pullman Palace cars, 
Saw at night the twinkling stars, 
Talked of love, while viewing Mars, 

and other heavenly bodies, that roll through 
the immensity of space? 

Some loving couples on their way to 
Chi ca-go. 

Who tried to cut an awful dash. 
Spent their funds, brouglit on a crash 
Caused their wealth to go smash 
by extravagance ? 

Some of the visitors to the World's Fair 

Who could ill afford to be so rash, 
Lose their time, and surplus cash. 
And then curtail on cheapest hash 



Columbus Exposition. 105 

to make up the difference ? 

Some of the visitors to Chicago. 

Who said the Fair was a grand success, 
And sure to cheer, and sure to bless, 
Improvements make, and burdens less 

to the people by more active thinking 
in art, science, and improved machines 
to release labor of its hardship, and toil 
of its severity ? 

Many thoughtful persons. 

Who admired the Columbian Fair 

With all its sights, so rich and rare. 

The past and present to compare ? 

So that all could see the vast difference be- 
tween the Columbus frail ships of about 
one hundred tons burden, and their sixty- 
eight days' passage across the ocean, and 
the fleet ocean-bound steamers of the 
present day, Avhose tonnage is about fifty 
thousand tons and their passage across 
the Atlantic is not far from five days six 
hours, thirty-six minutes and four seconds, 
also the ox-team of two miles an hour in 
comparison to the ponderous locomotive 
that skips over the country at less than a 
mile a minute ? 

The enterprising citizen. 



io6 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



SHOE DEALER'S SONG. 

Store near Faneuil Mall, Boston, Mass. 

We now invite, with much delight, 
You to our Boots and Shoes, 

We've every kind to suit the mind. 
And drive away the blues. 

We've calf and kip, that will not rip, 

And extra patent leather ; 
They always shine, while looking fine, 

In every kind of weather. 

Protect your feet from summer's heat, 
And winter's piercing cold, 

For losses here are more severe 
Than loss of finest gold. 

By selling cheap, we try to reap^ 

A large amount of trade. 
The profits small, but gathered all, 

A little sum is made. 

Now let us guide where you'll provide 
Yourself at prices low, 



Shoe Dealer's Song. 107 

At 48 North Market Street 
Corner of Merchants' Row. 

Increase the joys, of us twin boys, 

And with us make a trade ; 
The <Toods are stron^^, will wear so long, 

You'll like the purchase made. 



io8 What Think Ye of Christ ? 



OUR HONORED SIRES. 

SlL\LL we, the sons of honored sires, 

The days of yore review, 
Draw inspiration Irom the past. 

And bid dull care adieu? 

Oh ! yes, we prize our honored sires, 
Who a hundred years and more. 

Conquered a haughty British foe 
In good old days of yore. 

We love the rich historic page, 

For all its wealth of cheer, 
Its battles fought, its victories won. 

Its ride of " Paul Revere." 

Our suffering sires struggled hard. 

To form a nation free, 
Then stretched along a rock-bound coast. 

It's now from-sca to sea 

An empire vast — colossal size : 
All wants are here supplied, 



Our Honored Sires. lOQ 

And wealth responds to honest toil, 
Nor can it be denied. 

Our fathers fired the timely shot, 
It echoed round the world ; 

Our flag now floats on every sea, 
'Twill always be unfurled. 

Inventive skill now hastens on 

To wonders great perform, 
Sheds its blessings on the homes. 

Relief from every storm ; 

Nor slave nor serf shall till our soil, 
Strong drink will be no more ; 

Such happiness will then abound. 
As never seen before. 

As sons we'll thank our fathers' God, 
Prize our sires more and more. 

For noble deeds, so well performed. 
In good old days of yore. 



no What Think Yc of Christ ? 



THRICE WELCOME TO KANSAS. 

Thrice welcome to Kansas, 

The pride of the west, 
Where the drowsy grow active. 

The weary find rest. 

Where the soil is so rich 

The harvest is sure. 
Just tickle the surface, 

Good crops you'll secure. 

The land is so mellow. 

It works like a charm. 
Then come to rich Kansas 

And buy you a farm. 

The harvest is plenteous. 

The laborers are few ; 
Strike out on the prairie. 

And put the plow through. 

Or dwell in the city. 
Select a nice lot, 



Thrice Welcome to Kansas. iii 

Erect a fine mansion 
Or snug little cot. 

We've everything good for 

Poor mortals to eat, 
From nice flavored fruit to 

Most excellent meat. 

We've nice mills for clothing, 

And fine flour to feed. 
An abundance of corn, 

What else do we need? 

Our people enlightened, 

By science refined, 
To the pleasures of art 

Are greatly incHned. 

Our churches all differ. 

Yet kindly agree. 
Distinct like the billow 

But one like the sea. 

Evangelical truth 

Is ably proclaimed. 
Great sorrows averted, 

And paradise gained. 

Our schools we all cherish 
With innocent pride, 



112 What Think Ye of Christ ? 

No man could think more of 
His sweet, loving bride. 

We've no legalized saloons, 

Nor other vile den ; 
Our State is the abode 

Of God-fearing men. 

How vast are the riches 
Just hid 'neath our soil : 

Its coal, lead, zinc and salt 
And rivers of oil. 

" Stranger," these lines should you 

Incidentally read, 
Then start for Kansas 

With all possible speed. 

To our Sunflower State 
Come ; Pride of the West, 

Where the drowsy grow active, 
The weary find rest. 






•Man. ioioo« 



36 1901 



1 CUPV DLL. 10 CAT, DIV. 
DEC. 26 1901 



